Dozens of stranded shellfish gatherers rescued

LONDON – Hovercraft, helicopters and lifeboats were used to rescue more than 100 shellfish hunters stranded on a beach in northwest England where 21 Chinese immigrants seeking the delicacy drowned earlier this year.

The 144 Scottish and Chinese hunters became stranded in treacherous sands in Morecambe Bay after their two tractor-trailers collided Saturday morning.

Hovercraft, helicopters and boats were used to complete the rescue of the shellfish gatherers before the afternoon high tide, said Liverpool coast guard spokesman Paul Parkes.

The bay is a rich cockle hunting ground notorious for its fast-moving tides and dangerous quicksand. In February, 21 Chinese immigrants drowned in an incoming tide.

Mark Clark, a Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesman, said the beds near the shore get picked out, so the newer beds are much farther away.

“This is the 16th rescue of commercial cocklers this year, and with every one of them, you wonder when the next fatality will occur,” he said.